LONDON (AP) — A British man accused of plotting to burn down a London company linked to Ukraine has been charged with conducting hostile activities to benefit Russia, prosecutors said Friday.
Dylan Earl, 20, is linked to Russia Wagner mercenary group, which the UK government has declared a banned terrorist organizationprosecutors said.
Earl is accused of fraudulent activities, target research and reconnaissance and attempting to recruit others to assist a foreign intelligence service carrying out activities in the UK
“Included in the alleged activity was involvement in planning an arson attack on a Ukrainian-linked commercial property in March,” said Nick Price, head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s Special Crime and Counter-Terrorism Division.
He allegedly planned and paid others to burn down two industrial properties in east London on March 20.
He is the first person to be charged under the 2023 National Security Law.
Four other men face charges in connection with the case.
Jake Reeves, 22, was charged with agreeing to accept a material benefit from a foreign intelligence service and aggravated arson.
Dmitrijus Paulauska, 22, was accused of having information about terrorist acts.
Paul English, 60, and Nii Mensah, 21, face aggravated arson charges.
